Observational Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Psychiatry. Apr 19, 2024; 14(4): 553-562
Published online Apr 19, 2024. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i4.553
Nurse anesthetists’ perceptions and experiences of managing emergence delirium: A qualitative study
Yi Xin, Fu-Cai Lin, Chen Huang, Bin He, Ya-Ling Yan, Shuo Wang, Guang-Ming Zhang, Rui Li
Yi Xin, Fu-Cai Lin, Bin He, Ya-Ling Yan, Wuxi Medical College, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
Chen Huang, Shuo Wang, Guang-Ming Zhang, Department of Anesthesiology, Tongren Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200335, China
Rui Li, Department of Nursing, Tongren Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200335, China
Co-first authors: Yi Xin and Fu-Cai Lin.
Co-corresponding authors: Rui Li and Guang-Ming Zhang.
Author contributions: Xin Y, Lin FC, Zhang GM, and Li R contributed to the research design and thesis writing; Xin Y, Lin FC, and Huang C collected and analyzed the data; Xin Y, He B, Wang S, and Yan YL contributed to the data collection; Zhang GM and Li R overall supervise the study; and all authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version. The reasons for designating Xin Y and Lin FC as co-first authors are twofold: Firstly, both co-first authors jointly contributed to experimental design, data collection, and analysis, playing a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and validity of the research. Secondly, both co-first authors collaborated in writing and revising the research paper, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the manuscript. The reasons for designating Li R and Zhang GM as co-corresponding authors are threefold: Firstly, they possess expertise in the fields of anesthesiology and nursing, providing crucial professional support and advice for the research. Secondly, they serve as leaders and mentors within the research team, playing significant organizational and guidance roles throughout the entire research project. Lastly, their contributions to the review and revision of this manuscript are equal. In summary, the co-first authors and co-corresponding authors of this study, by analyzing and presenting the research content from multiple professional perspectives, ensured the breadth and depth of the research findings.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Jiangnan University Medical Ethics Committee (Approval No. JNU20230301IRB16).
Informed consent statement: All study participants or their legal guardians provided informed written consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to report.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement—checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement—checklist of items.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Rui Li, MSc, Chief Nurse, Department of Nursing, Tongren Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1111 Xianxia Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200335, China. 18616365160@163.com
Received: January 12, 2024
Peer-review started: January 12, 2024
First decision: January 30, 2024
Revised: February 2, 2024
Accepted: March 19, 2024
Article in press: March 19, 2024
Published online: April 19, 2024
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

The emergence delirium (ED) is a common postoperative complication in the post-anesthesia care unit, representing a significant management challenge. Given the vital role of nurses in the management of delirium, it is crucial to explore the experiences and challenges of anesthesia nurses in managing ED.

Research motivation

Currently, the issues and perspectives of anesthesia nurses in the management of ED are not well understood. Therefore, this study adopts a qualitative research approach to thoroughly explore the cognition and experiences of anesthesia nurses in managing ED patients.

Research objectives

To understand the issues, challenges, and experiences faced by anesthesia nurses in managing ED, with the aim of providing a reference for the development of standardized ED training and management systems and enhancing the abilities of anesthesia nurses in ED management.

Research methods

A descriptive phenomenological research method was employed in this study, using purposive sampling to select anesthesia nurses for face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The collected data were then analyzed and thematic findings were derived using the Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis approach.

Research results

Anesthesia nurses are currently lacking theoretical knowledge in addressing ED, and their practical handling of such patients has not reached a proficient level, leading to significant physical and mental stress. However, they have shown great enthusiasm for learning about and managing ED and have put forward multiple constructive opinions and suggestions, which are worth drawing inspiration from and learning.

Research conclusions

Nursing managers should pay full attention to the cognitive and management experiences of anesthesia nurses in managing patients with ED, by strengthening knowledge learning, establishing standardized management systems, developing early warning strategies, and promoting physical and mental well-being. This will enhance the abilities of anesthesia nurses in ED care and provide helpful guidance in formulating standardized management protocols for ED.

Research perspectives

Future research can develop detailed and standardized protocols for managing ED based on the recommendations of this study and apply them in clinical practice.